As colleges and universities have added a range of programs in recent years, adult learners like these three classmates have more choices than ever as they seek to change or advance careers. But they also face a quandary: certificate or degree?
Making that decision, educators and career specialists say, depends on a variety of factors, including the field of study; your age and experience; the time you have available; and your educational level.
Murray, for example, chose a certificate program because she wanted an incremental “steppingstone into the field,’’ before she makes a bigger commitment. McEvoy, by contrast, already works as an instructional designer at Liberty Mutual in Boston. She’s pursuing a master’s degree to get “a more solid base.’’
Certificates, which require fewer courses and less time to attain than a degree, tend to work well for people who are just starting to explore a field, or who are already experienced and looking to add specific skills that will keep them competitive. In general, certificate programs tend to focus on a narrower topic area, such as technical skills.
“If you’re new to an industry, get a degree,’’ said Sally Jablon Silver, chief executive at Sally Silver Cos., a technology recruitment firm. “But if you want to add specific knowledge to your resume, a certificate can be important.’’
The earliest certificate programs were technically oriented, often offered by companies as a way to certify a level of competence with new software. Microsoft , IBM , Oracle , and Cisco all offered a variety of certificate programs during the 1990s. Within a few years, the concept spread to academic institutions, which introduced a variety of short, focused programs.
In addition to UMass Boston, more than a dozen Boston-area colleges and universities offer certificate programs, including Boston University, Northeastern University, Fisher College, Bunker Hill Community College, and Suffolk University. Programs range from computer forensics (Bunker Hill) to medical assistant (Fisher) to tourism development (BU).
